Appendix 1 - Getting Post Diagnostic Support (PDS) right for people with dementia

There is clear evidence that high quality post diagnostic support, provided over an extended period, is essential in order to equip people with dementia and their families and carers with the tools, connections, resources and plans they need to live as well as possible with dementia. The positive effect which this kind of support can have on people’s lives has been demonstrated in the post diagnostic support pilot funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Alzheimer Scotland, and international evidence shows the long term impact in reducing and delaying the need for care services. There are five key pillars which are recognised as essential to supporting people after their diagnosis, outlined in the diagram opposite. Post diagnostic support will be provided for a minimum of one year, by a named person who has the flexibility to work alongside the person, their partner and family and ensure that over that 12 month period each person is given help and support to work through the five pillars. By the end of the year it is expected that some individuals might require ongoing professional support; however the purpose of the post diagnostic support is to enable the individual and their family to develop a robust personal plan that utilises all their own natural supports, that maintains newly developed peer support mechanisms alongside existing and new community connections and that will support each person to live well and independently with dementia for as long as possible.